‘Dancing with the Stars’: Alan Bersten deserves a promotion, according to 96% of readers [Poll Results]

“Dancing with the Stars” troupe member Alan Bersten has been getting a lot of face time this season. After pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiyinjured his calf while training for week two of the competition, Bersten filled in as a substitute pro dancer with actress Heather Morris. And now our readers are nearly unanimous that Bersten deserves a promotion for his efforts: a whopping 96% think he should become a full-time pro on the series. See our poll results at the bottom of this post.

Bersten has certainly made the most of his circumstances. His week two jive with Morris was controversial, but scored well by all judges except Len Goodman, who objected on the basis of choreography and not performance. However, there was nothing contentious about his “Toxic” tango with Morris in week three; they earned a total judges’ score of 33 out of 40, the second highest score of the night and Morris’s best of the season so far. All of that was under the guidance and supervision of Chmerkovskiy, but nevertheless showed Bersten’s grace under pressure.

This isn’t the first time Bersten has stepped up when needed. In season 22, after pro dancer Mark Ballas was temporarily injured, Bersten performed with his partner, UFC fighter Paige VanZant. As with Chmerkovskiy, that happened in the second week of competition, and it also resulted in improved scores from the judges.

Bersten will be dancing with Morris again tonight for the third time (more details on that here). We’re hoping to see Chmerkovskiy back on the dance floor soon, but we’d also like to see Bersten return to the show as a professional dance partner in the future. He’s earned it.

Gold Derby readers just like YOU often turn out to be our smartest prognosticators, so it’s important that you give us your predictions. You can continue to update and change your forecasts throughout the week, just click “Save” when you’ve settled on your choices. You’ll compete to win a $100 Amazon gift certificate, bragging rights and a place of honor on our leaderboard. Our racetrack odds change as you make your predictions, just as they do when you bet on the Emmys, Oscars, Golden Globes and more. Be sure to read our contest rules and sound off on the season of “Dancing with the Stars” in our reality TV forum.